According to Dr. Tim Woods, University of Kentucky Agriculture Economics, a surge in the demand for local food products has been observed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.   This has led to a new consumer interest in direct markets such as farmers markets.

As the Greenup County Farm to Table planning committee began to work on the 2020 event, they decided to focus on local producers, the local supply chain, agriculture education, and consumerism. This committee is comprised of local extension agents, FFA advisor and members, and local volunteers from the farmers market and Farm Bureau organization.

The planning committee was unable to host an in person event due to following the Center of Disease Control social distancing recommendations.   In an effort to continue building support, the committee decided to sell Farm Product Baskets.   There were four choices of baskets and inside the baskets included all products from Greenup County and Kentucky producers.  The committee also include information inside the baskets with information about each farm and contact information.

The committee sold 141 farm baskets with 22 producers contributing to the products inside the basket.   Consumers picked up their farm baskets at the local farmers market.   This encouraged consumers to make a personal connection with local producers.   The basket project contributed $5, 072 to the local economy and successfully sustained interest and participation in the Farm To Table event during a time of social distancing.